Giants defender Patfull calls time on career

AFL: Veteran defender Joel Patfull has retired after 220 games with Brisbane and GWS, but will remain on the Giants list.

The 31-year-old won back-to-back best-and-fairest awards with the Lions (2012-2013) before switching to the Giants in 2015 and being part of their first ever finals campaign.

The Giants said in the interest of the club adhering to total player payment obligations, Patfull would be delisted and then re-selected at next month's rookie draft but have no active role in season 2017.

"I feel like the time is right to retire and I leave the game with no regrets,” Patfull said in a statement.

Patfull started as a rookie at Port Adelaide in 2003 but didn't play a game there, finally debuting with Brisbane in 2006.

"I never imagined playing over 200 games was possible, and I'd like to thank my family as well as everyone at the Giants and the Brisbane Lions for their support throughout my career,” he said.

"I'm very fortunate to have played at two clubs and gained the lifelong friendships I have.

"I leave the Giants knowing the club is heading in the right direction and I hope to see this driven group achieve the ultimate success in the near future.”

GWS football boss Wayne Campbell said Patfull had an enormous impact on the club during his two years in Sydney.

"Joel was a no-fuss player that went about his business quietly, but was always highly rated by those inside the football clubs he played at, as highlighted by the two club champion awards he won,” Campbell said.

"His maturity and ability to play on both tall and small forwards added great value to our young list.

"Joel helped shape the careers of a number of our young players and we wish him the best in the next chapter of his life.”